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Elevation: 1,965 ft
GPS: 37.3801, -80.0898
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 143,444 total · 690/month
Shared By: Jeffrey Gardner on Feb 22, 2007
Admins: Shawn Heath, Aaron Parlier

Description Suggest change

Mcafee's Knob is one of Virginia's premiere bouldering areas. The knob is also one of the most breathtaking hiking destinations in Virginia and holds the the reputation as having the most photographed point on the Appalachian Trail (which you use to get to the bouldering). The climbing at M-Knob is comprised of free standing and channeled sandstone blocks and labyrinths. Hold types vary from crimps to slopers, and from kind to aggressive. The developed bouldering at M-Knob is all on quality stone and you likely wont find choss unless you go looking for it.

The hike to the top can be lengthy, being 3.5 miles long and taking an hour and a half, but the pay off is substantial. the best time to climb at The Knob is in the cooler months (especially the late fall). The summer can be quite hot and buggy, but still enjoyable if you time it right.

-check this cool video/photo compilation out to get you stoked on some Knob bouldering: facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3…;h=6a88fHe5FHWwmDthYU6m6s_b9wQ

Getting There Suggest change

From I-81 take exit for Rt. 311 just south of Roanoke. Follow 311 S and park at the top of Catawba mountain, where the AT crosses the road. There is a large gravel lot on the left.

For roadside and approach boulders cross 311 at the southern most corner of the gravel lot and walk up fire road until it joins with the AT at approx 2.5 miles. You will see the roadside boulders immediately on the right as you start up the fire road. You can also walk the AT from the northermost corner of the gravel lot to the summit boulders. Please refer to guidebook on Dr. Topo for more details concerning the problems.

144 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at McAfee's Knob

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V2 5+
 14
Warm Up Roof Left
Boulder
V2+ 5+
 21
Mickey Face Right
Boulder
V3 6A
 25
Mickey Face Left
Boulder
V3 6A
 7
Ship's Prow
Boulder
V3 6A
 21
Counter Pressure (Proper)
Boulder
V3 6A
 21
Firedrake
Boulder
V3 6A
 9
Flake Dyno SDS
Boulder
V5-6 6C+
 21
Centerline
Boulder
V6 7A
 5
6'-4" Arete
Boulder
V6 7A
 4
Tremor
Boulder
V7 7A+
 14
Moneyshot
Boulder
V7 7A+
 4
Domino
Boulder
V7 7A+
 4
Austin's Seam
Boulder
V7-8 7B
 5
Money Shot (extended start)
Boulder
V8+ 7B+
 4
King's Road
Boulder
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Warm Up Roof Left Belly Boulder Area > Warm-Up Boulder
 14
V2 5+ Boulder
Mickey Face Right Mickey Mouse Boulders
 21
V2+ 5+ Boulder
Mickey Face Left Mickey Mouse Boulders
 25
V3 6A Boulder
Ship's Prow Finite Element… > Mayflower Boulder
 7
V3 6A Boulder
Counter Pressure (Proper) Rdside
 21
V3 6A Boulder
Firedrake Dragon Boulders > Left Dragon
 21
V3 6A Boulder
Flake Dyno SDS Mickey Mouse Boulders
 9
V3 6A Boulder
Centerline Rdside
 21
V5-6 6C+ Boulder
6'-4" Arete Highball Boulders
 5
V6 7A Boulder
Tremor Corridor & Beyond > Zoloft Boulder
 4
V6 7A Boulder
Moneyshot Rdside
 14
V7 7A+ Boulder
Domino Belly Boulder Area > Belly Boulder
 4
V7 7A+ Boulder
Austin's Seam Finite Element… > Finite Element Boulder
 4
V7 7A+ Boulder
Money Shot (extended start) Rdside
 5
V7-8 7B Boulder
King's Road Rdside
 4
V8+ 7B+ Boulder
More Classic Climbs in McAfee's Knob »

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